nickyp

I know this was a difficult decision for you to make.

Run free Charlotte and swim in every puddle, pond, lake and ocean you can find over the bridge.

Im starting to think take your sister to a show and meet and greet with different breeds, if youre lucky enough you'll be able to find a doler or 2 who may be round to help you out,

Whereabouts are you guys located?

It is a good idea, but I live in Geelong these days and she's in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne, about an hour and a half away from me. She's not up to driving far and I have 2 young kids, so my time is a bit limited - especially now that school has gone back. I also have to tread a bit carefully because, if she feels she's being "managed" she'll refuse to listen to anything I say, let alone take it on board. I will keep an eye out for shows that we could potentially get to, though, and see if I can suggest a "day out" at some stage.

Which part of "puppies in pet shops come from puppy farms and most WILL shed" did she not quite grasp?

Ah yes, BUT her spoodle was perfect and didn't shed ... As I said, I will probably end up

In my sister's defence, she has been, and still is, quite ill and it came on suddenly. A couple of months ago she had a full time job doing something she was devoted to. Now it's unlikely she'll every work again and her life has changed completely. I suspect, in spite of being generally a very positive and together kind of person, that she's still in a bit of shock, suffering some depression (not that she'd admit that) and a rather overwhelmed.

I had hoped that, by providing her with a list of breeds, that she would get interested in researching and talking to breeders and it would be a good distraction, as well as helping her get a well bred pup and avoid lining the puppy farmers' pockets. Instead, I suspect she'll end up doing whatever makes her feel better in the moment and it will be crossbred pup from the local pet shop.

Well, it seems the list might have been too much for my sister - too many breeds she hasn't heard of (rolly eyes would be useful here). I forget that not everyone reads the dog forum the way I do ... She thinks these breeds she hasn't heard of might be too 'exclusive', meaning too expensive, for her budget. She's accepted that she will probably need to spend $800 - $1000 for a crossbred from a petshop and assumes that a purebred pup from a breeder will cost more.

I suspect I might end up - stubbornness is a family trait - but I'll give it another shot. So, my next question is, what breeds, that fit her requirements (non-shedding, small-medium, etc.), are likely to cost her less than $1000 to purchase?

I've emailed the following list to my sister, with a link to the DOL puppy listings:

Poodle (miniature or toy)

Bichon Frise

Lowchen

Griffon Bruxellois

Affenpinscher

Lagotto Romagnolo

Bedlington Terrier

West Highland White Terrier

Lhasa Apso

Shih-Tzu

Now it's up to her.

Lagotto Romagnolo !!! IMO purebred version of a labradoodle hahah :) dont know if they shed or not though.. will get back to you on that one.

I don't think they shed, but I think they might be too big and energetic for my sister.

What's she going to do if she buys a Labradoodle and it sheds?? A lot do.

If she HAS to go that route at least she should get one from the breeders who are doing multi-gen dogs AND who health test.

Otherwise she's simply lining the pockets of a puppy farmer.

Her labradoodle did come from one of those breeders - she did her research the first time - and was a really well bred dog. Her dog had the poodle-type coat, so didn't shed, but it was incredibly thick and had to be kept clipped very short to avoid matting. The second dog, the spoodle, was a petshop purchase and she got lucky - it had the classic 'oodle coat that people expect. I've tried to explain puppy farmers and the lottery involved in buying one of their dogs, but she doesn't see it. The only issue the spoodle had was some separation anxiety and she managed to resolve it.

Westie - low shedding, adore people, don't stress if they don't get walked, love lounging around, good small-medium size, need some grooming and have a bit of spunk and personality - so a brilliant pure breed dog - so why would you buy a genetically risky oodle?

Our whole family loves westies - my brother has one and he's a lovely dog, but he's also an escape artist. That puts them out of the running. My sister's yard is secure (she's just had the fences replaced), but she would worry about the dog getting out. I'm also not sure if the terrier personality would suit her.

I'm glad your sister has a relatively open mind. In most cases though, the reality is that they want what they know and if they've previously been lucky and had happy, healthy crossbreds then that is what they'll automatically veer towards no matter how many fabulous purebreds are suggested to them and no matter how often they are told they were lucky with their previous dogs.

She really would like to just replicate her previous experience, but I've managed to convince her to consider the purebreds. She still might end up going the oodle route, but if she does, at least some thought will have gone into it first ... I hope.

There is no such thing as a non-shedding dog. Hair/fur falls out of all dogs.

Yes, but with a wool coated breed it stays trapped in the coat. I dont find poodle hair on my clothes or furniture Frankly I'm also quite surprised at some of the breeds suggested in this thread.

People like to recommend their personal favs - regardless of whether they really suit the purpose :laugh:

I personally think that if the OP was happy with a xbreed in the past why not look at the many suitable very young dogs up for rescue - many under 12 months old? Plenty of low shedders available.

My sister accepts that there is always going to be some shedding from any dog, she just wants the absolute minimum possible. She's a little OCD with her house cleanliness and finding pet hair around drives her nuts.

I expected to get a range of responses. Everyone likes to advocate for their favourite breed! I'm really not bothered by it.

I've mentioned rescue, but I suspect she's fallen in love with idea of raising a baby puppy. Her youngest daughter has just turned 18 and got her licence and my sister has had to give up work for the foreseeable future, so I think life's looking a little empty ATM. A puppy would fill her time.

As I said earlier, I think non-shedding is the least flexible of my sister's criteria. She only just tolerates the hair from her daughter's DSH cat! She'll happily take her dog to the groomer as often as necessary, but she won't put up with hair on her clothes or furniture.

I don't think my sister is particularly attached to the oodles,it's just that it's what she's had most recently and both dogs were lovely, healthy dogs. She got lucky and doesn't really realise it. One of the reasons I'd like to point her in the direction of a purebred dog from a reputable breeder is to make sure - as far as possible - that she ends up with another healthy, well-natured dog.

I haven't had time to read all the responses, but I'll go through them tomorrow and start putting together a list for. Thank you all for your input!

Thanks for these recommendations. I think I've bee more anxious about finding a good vet for the furries than I was about finding a doctor for the human family!

She may like to look at a Potuguese water dog or Miniature Schnauzer

.There is a Lab x Poodle on Pet rescue at Pets Haven in Woodend ,Vic.

She told me she didn't want another lab-sized dog, so I think that girl would be out.

Lagotto and Bedlington would be non-shedders but not sure of suitability otherwise.

would she consider a rescue or does it have to be a puppy?

A young rescue might be ok. She has said that she specifically doesn't want an older dog. I think she might have her heart set on a pup.

What about a whippet? or a pug...? Not sure if they'll pass the shedding aspect though???

Non-shedding is probably the least flexible of her criteria. As I said, she's a neat freak, dog hair on the furniture is not acceptable.

Thanks for the suggestions, please keep them coming. Also, please feel free to recommend breeders. I'd like to be able to give her a list of breeds and breeders (preferably in Victoria).

My sister is looking for a puppy and is thinking of buying an 'oodle. I'd like to give her some purebred alternatives to think about, but am having difficulty coming up with ideas.

Her requirements are a small-medium dog that doesn't shed and wants to be with its people.

Her last two dogs were a labradoodle and spoodle, the first came from a breeder and the second was an impulse pet shop purchase. Both of them were physically sound and had good temperaments, so my sister doesn't really get the argument that DDs are often poorly bred. She rehomed the spoodle when she had to move into a rental that would only allow one dog after her divorce and her labradoodle died about 12 months ago from an aggressive cancer at about 13 years of age.

She's now bought another home of her own and is facing a long period at home recuperating from an illness, so feels it's the perfect time to get a puppy because she'll have plenty of time to spend with it and focussing on the pup will help her stay positive.

Given that she has a fair way to go in her recovery, I think a breed with medium-low energy levels would be best - a dog that isn't going to go nuts if it misses its daily walk every now and then. Grooming is also not an issue. My sister's previous dogs visited the groomers on a monthly basis and my sister is a neat freak so an untidy coat is not allowed!

I've thought of miniature poodles (toy would be too small, I think) and bichons, but I'm really struggling to come up with any other ideas. Can anyone suggest any others? I know they're out there, I just can't think of them!

Indiana (brown dog in my sig) has developed some fluid-y areas just under her ribcage and is displaying some changes in temperament that I'd like to get checked out.

Having only moved to Geelong six months ago, I haven't scoped out the local vets yet, so I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good one ... or two. We're in Whittington (East Geelong), but I don't mind travelling to see someone good. I'm open to anyone who uses alternative therapies, etc. and, given that the Zelda (cat) is 13 and the Emmylou and Indiana are 11 and 12, someone who is good with aging pets would be nice too.

It's not super-urgent - Indi is happy in herself and seems basically healthy - but I would like to get her checked out.

We crate trained our dogs after Em developed a fear of thunder and fireworks. Indi took to it immediately and her crate is her favourite place to sleep inside the house. Em is less fond of hers, but it is her safe place when something scary is happening and she will head for it immediately. They also sleep in them at night and it has reduced the barking at random noises.

Our crates are in our bedroom with an throw rug over the top to make them a little more den-like and a little less ugly. Visitors to our house who are not dog lovers are actually really happy that the dogs will go to their crates happily and don't think it's cruel at all - most think the dogs are spoiled because they don't have to stay outside in all weathers!

We are moving soon and, when looking at potential houses, one of the first things OH always mentions is that our bedroom must have enough space in it for the dogs' crates. And he's not the dog-oriented member of the family! He won't hear of the idea of putting the crates somewhere else because "the dogs belong with us at night". The kids have to stay in their own rooms, but the dogs get to share ours! :D

This thread is really interesting. We vaccinated our dogs annually when they were attending regular obedience classes, because it was a requirement and because they were around large numbers of other dogs at those classes, but stopped when we gave up obedience training. Since then they've only been vaccinated when it was required for boarding or attending an event of some kind (Em went to several herding workshops, for example). The cat hasn't been done for about 10 years and, at 13 years of age, she is almost an exclusively indoor cat now.

We are moving house soon and I was thinking of vaccinating the dogs and cat before we do so because I have no idea how prevalent illnesses like parvo and cat flu may be where we're going (and we plan to move twice in 6-12 months). Now I'm wondering whether, for the dogs at least, titre testing might be sufficient to ensure they still have a reasonable immunity?

It depends on how long we're going away for.

If it's just an overnight camping trip I leave them at home. We leave just after lunch and I feed the dogs a big dinner before we go. We usually get back at about the same time the next day and they get a feed as soon as we get home.

If it's longer my sister comes over and stays with them. That might not be possible for much longer though because my sis lives with my parents and my dad is getting very frail. My mum does lots of stuff for him but needs sis for backup.

We've used kennels in the past, but the dogs are getting older now and would find it stressful. Also, the cost gets a bit much.

My ideal, now that my kids are getting older and don't need constant supervision, is to take the dogs with us all the time.

If he's having fun, he'll probably start swimming without even noticing he's doing it.

One of our dogs had waded, but never swum, until we took her on a beach holiday when she was about 12 months old. We went to an area where it was very shallow for a long way out and threw the ball for her. At first she would stop when she got to the point where she needed to swim, but eventually her ball obsession won out and she ended up swimming after it. She's nearly 11 now and has loved swimming ever since. We can't go past a body of water without her wanting to jump in. The only water she won't get into is the kids' wading pool - because we've used it to bath her in the past.

Thanks for those responses, Sandra and Aloysha.

I don't know whether the dogs will be going at the same time as SIL or if she's going over first and they will follow, once she's found somewhere to live. I'm pretty sure neither dog has been crate-trained, so that's something I'll suggest she gets underway. I think she's got at least a couple of months before she goes. Her new job is an academic post at a uni, so I assume she doesn't actually start until early 2012. This should give her plenty of time to get them used to being crated.

Thanks, Sue. I'll pass that link on to SIL.

What companies are best for flying dogs to NZ? I've heard of Jetpets and Dogtainers - do they go O/S? Does anyone have any recommendations, or warnings of ones to stay away from?

I tend to be wary of large (but not giant) breeds, like GSDs, etc., or the really tiny dogs, like chihuahuas or poms - probably because I've had unpleasant experiences with both. I'm much more comfortable with giant dogs (every one I've ever met was a big sweety) and medium-small dogs. That said, I judge any dog I meet on it's demeanour (the way it looks at me, holds itself, etc.) before I consider its breed.

Hi all,

My SIL has just landed a job in Wellington, New Zealand and will be taking her two labs, Clooney (choccy) and Maybe (yellow), with her. She's asked me to ask the font of all canine knowledge, DOL, what she needs to know to fly them over there.

This is going to be a long term/permanent move.

Does NZ have any vaccination requirements that wouldn't be covered by their Australian vaccs?

Which is best company to use to transport the dogs?

What have I forgotten to ask?

There's one near us (in Point Cook) and it's pretty good. They do sell birds, reptiles, rodents and fish and do cat & kitten adoptions for The Lost Dogs Home. I shop there semi-regularly because it has a much better range and more knowledgeable staff than the local Petstock (and it's closer to home) and I've always been impressed with the condition of the enclosures, cages and tanks. They always look clean and are never over-crowded. There's a guy who works there - he might even be the owner - who breeds cats (won't say which breed because it's not a common one) and he's really knowledgeable and helpful and always seems to be cleaning cages or feeding critters when I go in there.

Once you have Emmylou's ear infection under control you may wish to talk to your vet about swapping onto a more gentle option for regular use. These two products may be required, but at the same time they may also contribute to some dogs having ear infections. The ear naturally has a balance of bacteria that reside there, all in a careful balance in small numbers so one type does not overpower and increase in numbers to create an infection. Using these types of cleaners can actually disrupt this balance and allow either new bacteria not native to that environment move in, or one of the natural bacteria to overpower its competitors.

I would perhaps consider seeing a veterinary dermatologist about this- it may cost more initially but it will probably mean that the situation will be resolved instead of having to see your regular vet a number of times, and perhaps having to try a number of different products so end up being cheaper in the long run!! These infections may actually be due to an allergy so by changing diet or working out what the allergy is you might get to avoid regular ear cleaning all together!!!

Thanks, Woofen. I have actually been wondering about the possibility of an allergy, given that she's been fine all winter and then, as soon as the spring-ish weather starts, so does the ear infection. I've made an appointment at the new vet's for this evening, so I'll ask about it.

I know I should be better about the cleaning and maintenance, but Em hates having her ears cleaned so much that I feel really mean doing it ... then, of course, I feel really bad when she gets an ear infection and I know I haven't kept up the cleaning - damned if I do and damned if I don't. :rolleyes:

I'm thinking that I might try out a new vet that has opened near us. I've never had any complaints about the vet hospital and have actually been very grateful that they're so big and can do pretty much everything on site, but it did occur to me that it might be time for a change. Also the new one is walking distance from home, which would reduce the stress factor quite a bit for Em - she knows when she gets in the car without our other dog that she's going to the vet.

Thanks for the replies. I think I kind of knew that we'd end up at the vets anyway, but was hoping to avoid it this time.

We go to a large vet clinic & hospital where there are a number of vets on staff, but I seem to get the same one every time I take Em in. She (the vet) is very nice, but I get the same lecture about Em's ears and one about her weight every time. I can wear the lecture about the ears, I deserve that, but I get very tired of hearing the one about Em's weight, because she's really not overweight. The vet has purebred working kelpies and, I think, bases her opinion of how Em should look on them. Being - at best guess - a kelpie x acd, Em is more solidly built than those dogs and, IMO, really doesn't need to lose any more weight.

Over the last couple of years Emmylou (10yo kelpie x acd) has had recurring bacterial infections in her ears. These are not yeast infections (she's had those in the past), there is no smell and the first sign I see of them is that Em starts to seek out things, usually paper or cardboard (especially hardcover books), to chew. Shortly after that she'll start scratching at her ear(s) and looking for more attention than usual.

The vet has told me that these infections are due to foreign objects - bits of dirt probably - getting into Em's ears and being trapped because her ear canals are so narrow and hairy. I'm supposed to clean Em's ears weekly, but have to admit that I tend not to because she hates it so much. I have to wrestle with her to do it and I always end up covered in the cleaning solution. I haven't done her ears over the winter months while she's been inside most of the time and they've been fine. However, with the warmer weather in the last couple of weeks, the dogs have been spending more time outside, where Em tends to sleep in the dirt, and her ears have flared up.

I have two product here to use for cleaning - Malacetic Otic and Epi-Otic - which I can use for cleaning and I think they do help a bit, but I don't think they'll do the job to kill the infection at this stage. I'm wondering if anyone can suggest something to get the infection under control and then I'll make more of an effort to keep Em's ears clean.

I would normally take her to the vet, and I will if I can't find another answer, but I'd thought I'd see if I can avoid it this time to save some money and get out of the usual lecture I get.